More accurate heart rate zones.

[Ganellone]

The current​ zones are set as:

Fat Burn 50%-69%

Cardio 70%-84%

Peak 85%

All based on, 220 - age (unless you set a custom max heart rate).

And let's be honest, these numbers are so generic that the end result is horribly inaccurate for most people.

It would be better to replace it with something that takes the resting heart rate into account, the Karvonen formula for example.

The Karvonen formula is:

Max HR - Rest HR = HR Reserve

((Max HR - Rest HR) * %HR Reserve) + Rest HR = Target

This could be calculated for the same zones, but would provide a much more accurate gauge of the level of exertion.

Ideally the resting heart rate would also be able to be set manually, for the plethora of possible reasons that people would want to do this.

[swoletergiest]

The current heart rate zones(50%-85%) are completly inaccurate. The percentages currently are based on total heart rate(220 - age), when they should be based on heart rate "cushion"(220 - age - average resting heart rate).  Currently my heartrate zones are off by more than 30 bpm because of this. While this is surely not a 100% accurate formula, or even 80% most likely, it is much more accurate than the current one. It might take some time to get the average heart rate data, and as a user gets fitter that value might change, but the main purpose of the device is to keep track of personal data in a way that is useful. 

I know there are feature requests for multiple custom heart rate zones, this is more so a request for automatically adjusted default heart rate zones keeping the "fat burn zone" etc. I am sure that there are worries about legal ramifications with presenting a higher suggested heart rate and it might not be safe suggesting as high as this formula suggests; however, the  more than 30 bpm offset renders the heart rate zones completely useless for me personally. Even if the feature were to be offered under premium only, that alone would make me consider purchasing.

[Corney]

I'm a Physical Therapist and was the exercise consultant for a surgical Bariatric program.  My research indicated that a persons aerobic zone is 220- age x 75%, which is also the zone that fat is metabolized after 20 minutes of continuous exercise.  Yet your fitbit protocol seems to indicate that fat is burned at heart rates lower that aerobic heart rates.  Please explain and indicate your research on this subject

[swoletergiest]

Thanks for the reply. My "research" was just quick Google searches from non-medical websites. No scientific journals or peer reviewed articles. I went off the 50%-74% for "fat loss" 75%-85% for "aerobic" and above for "peak". As I've done no scientific research I can't speak for when fat burns. The formula I use is still significantly higher then the base fitbit formula as it takes into account resting heartrate.

[JonGoesOn]

YES! THIS!

I'm 30 and ridiculously unfit due to health issues. As such I have a resting heart rate of 92, which Fitbit does NOT take into account, despite recording resting heart rate data! Fitbit seem to think that 50% heart rate is "light/fat burning" activity", so if I do so much as move (AT ALL) and hit 95 I'm "in my zone".

My Karvonen results are:

That's 46 bpm OUT of what Fitbit thinks my zone should be (based solely on the heart rate of a healthy 30 year old).

This basic calculation is outdated and irrelevant, especially to people who are unfit/at the high end of the bpm spectrum. PLEASE switch to Karvonen, or at least give users the option to add resting heart rate to their heart rate zone calcs.

I basically can't use the Fitbit heart rate data without it because it's just so far off. It thinks I spent HOURS yesterday in my fat burning/50% zone when I was just walking around the house!

I've had to switch to another app when I'm actually exercising in order to get accurate heart rate zones that use Karvonen, or that I can fully customise (i.e. replace ALL of them, not just add a single custom one) myself.

PLEASE get your act in gear on this Fitbit. This is important. And a basic necessity. I was absolutely gobsmacked to find you still used the basic age calc alone.

[SunsetRunner]

Nice suggestion, thanks for sharing. We look forward to hearing what other community members think.

[SantiR]

Hi everyone, thanks for sharing this suggestion. We're always striving to enhance Fitbit products and services, and we appreciate all of the input we receive from our customers. We do not currently have plans to release this feature. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs located at the top right box of the Feature Suggestions Board screen. For now, we will leave this suggestion open for votes (and closed to comments) so that we can continue to track community demand over time. Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us and we will let you know if anything changes.

[alexdawg1]

The basic 220- age formula for calculating heart rate zones is very basic.  Using the heart rate reserve method is more accurate and if that was implemented in the watches that would be great.  Having that and the ability to have real custom zones based on user fitness level would also be great.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @alexdawg1, thanks for taking the time to share why you would like to see this option on the Fitbit app. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

I hope to see you around.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi everyone, and thanks for sharing this suggestion. We’re very happy to let you know that this has been released on Charge 4, Inspire 2, Ionic, Sense, and Versa series. You can find more details here: What are heart-rate zones?.

@Ganellone, in recognition of your excellent suggestion, each of your votes will now count as 5 votes – you have the power! Thank you for sharing this idea, and thanks to everyone who voted and commented for your enthusiasm which has now materialized for everyone’s benefit. We hope you all enjoy this new addition to the Fitbit product or service!